Archive Record

Catalog Number

KSa020038

Collection

Kate Strong Historical Library

Object Name

Letter

Dates of Creation

1867 c

Scope & Content

77.22.405Mr. PresidentWill you oblige me for calling the attention of the hanging committee to the portrait of my wife painted in 1889 and__in the_of that year.Mr. PresidentWill you oblige me for calling the attention of the hanging committee to the portrait of my wife. It was painted in 1889 and was in the exhibition of that year. Its value to me may have led me to over rate it as a work of art. I hope not. Were I less devoted to her memory you would not be troubled with this note.Yours with great respect.S.A. MountOn back:Where - the daughter of that Mother?The only daughter loved so well,Loved so dearly - died so early -Alas, my lonely heart now tell;

Of its blighting when I left her.Asleep at Greenwood years ago;Where I love to be in summerAs I oft have knelt in drifting snow;

Knelt with prayers top be forgotten,Remembering not the words I said,I know the storm was _thereAnd that my soul was _the dead

Cold as the memory of our darlingMy desolated heart appears;No longer cheered by woman's smileNor consecrated by her tears

All those recollectionsAre passing with the years away;Going - going - as the night goesFleeing at the approach of day.

Credit line

Bequest of Ward Melville, 1977.

THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM

Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate, dedicated to American history and art with a Long Island connection.

The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday from noon to 5.

Regular admission is $10 per person, $7 for seniors and $5 for students ages six to 17. Children under six and museum members are free.